What is the first step in court proceedings?

The first step in court proceedings is filing a complaint. This step is critical because it formally initiates the legal process. When a complaint is filed, it outlines the plaintiff's case, detailing the grievances and the legal grounds for the court's jurisdiction. It serves as an official record that triggers the court's involvement, allowing the defendant to be notified and to prepare for a response.

The process of assigning a docket number, while important for tracking the case and organizing court schedules, occurs after the complaint has been filed. Similar considerations apply to setting a court date and gathering evidence, which are steps that follow the initial filing and the assignment of the case to ensure a structured progression of the legal proceedings. Therefore, the act of filing a complaint marks the true commencement of court actions.